Apply for import/export permits and CITES certificates

This page gives you advice and guidance on the application procedure for imports, exports, re-exports and CITES certificates.

It also provides advice on the import of personal and household effects which may not require permits, and the import of hunting trophies.  

Import and export documents must be obtained prior to the shipment taking place. All permits and forms must be presented to customs upon entry to the EU.  Permits are valid for a period of six months. There are some specific allowances for imports of personal effects and hunting trophies.

Application Forms for imports, exports and re-exports - Please print off the form and return to:

What are CITES Certificates required for?

The commercial use of any Annex A specimen within the EU must be covered by a CITES Trade Certificate.  A certificate is required for specimens of species listed on Annex A for any of the following activities:

• purchase
• offer to purchase
• display for commercial purposes
• use for commercial gain (including breeding or display)
• sale
• keeping for sale
• transporting for sale
  

Certificates are not only required for live Annex A plants and animals, but also dead parts and derivatives (e.g. body mounts, carapaces, eggs). Internet transactions for Annex A species also require CIES Certificates.  A CITES certificate is not required simply to possess an Annex A specimen, nor it is a document of legal ownership.  You do not require a CITES certificate to gift an Annex A specimen to another person.  

How to check a species is listed on Annex A?

To check if a species is listed on Annex A of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, search for the species name (either scientific or common name) in the UNEP-WCMC species database.  Guidance on how to use the UNEP-WCMC website.

Types of EC Certificate issued

There are two types of EC Certificate; Transaction Specific Certificates (TSCs) or Specimen Specific Certificates (SSCs).

Transaction Specific Certificates

• TSCs are issued to the holder of the specimen and are valid only for the person named on the certificate.
• A new certificate is required for a new holder to use the specimen for any commercial purpose.  
• TSCs may be issued where a specimen does not meet the requirements for an SSC, or because the species is of particular conservation concern.
• Full commercial use of the specimen may be prohibited.

Specimen Specific Certificates

• SSCs are issued for the specimen itself, and are valid throughout the lifetime of the specimen whilst in the Member States of the EU.
• They must be passed on to the new owner at the point of sale. 
• They may be restricted to those specimens which are permanently and uniquely marked, such as a closed ring for birds, or a uniquely numbered, unalterable microchip transponder for other animals.  
• The applicant must demonstrate that the specimen meets one of strict criteria to allow full commercial use.

Application Form for CITES Certificate - Please print off the form and return it to:

Movement Certificates

The majority of import permits and EC Certificates are issued without applying movement a restriction, meaning that the specimens may move freely within the EU. In some cases, a movement restriction may be applied to either an import permit or EC Certificate for a live Annex A specimen.  Movement of such specimens to other EC Member States without the prior Authorisation of the Irish Management Authority (MA) is prohibited. 

Procedure to apply to move a live Annex A specimen with an existing movement restriction:

• Apply for an EC Certificate under Article 9 of Regulation 338/97, clearly indicating that the application is to move a specimen with an existing movement restriction.
• The Irish MA may need to consult with the Management or Scientific Authority of the EC Member State of destination (where the specimen is intended to be moved to) to confirm that the intended accommodation at the place of destination is adequately equipped to conserve and care for the specimen.
• This needs to take place prior to movement.   

Application Form to move a restricted specimen - Please print off the form and return to

Import and (re-)export of personal and household effects

A personal effect is defined as a dead CITES specimen, or a part or derivative of a dead CITES specimen, which belongs to an individual person. Personal effects do not include any live pet animals.  Guidance on the import/export of personal effects for EU citizens is provided below for specimens listed on EC Annexes A-D. Personal allowances, which do not require permits, are listed. 

Annex A

• If you are importing an Annex A specimen as a personal effect into the EU for the first time, an import permit and an export permit from the exporting country is required.  If you are re-importing a personal effect then an import permit may not be required if you have a customs stamped EU export or re-export permit.
• If you are exporting an Annex A personal effect from the EU, an export permit is required.  A re-export may not be required if an export or re-export permit which was provided at the time of import or an EU per it stamped by customs or other proof that the specimen was bought in the EU.

Annex B

• If you are importing a personal effect of a species listed on Annex B into the EU, an import permit is not required provided an export or re-export permit is provided. If the specimen has already been imported to the EU and is being re-imported, then a copy of a customs stamped EU permit is sufficient proof of legal acquisition.

If you are exporting an Annex B personal effect from the EU, an export permit is required.

Annexes C & D

• The Import or Export of personal effects listed in Annexes C or D does not require import or export permits.

Processing of applications

Procedures on the processing of applications in relation to CITES are set out in detail in the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations. These procedures operate in tandem with the licensing provisions in relation to the export and import regulations under Section 52 and Section 53 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended).

Designated Customs Offices

Under CITES Regulations the import into and export from the EU of specimens of species which are CITES listed requires that appropriate checks and formalities be carried out at a designated Customs Office. In 2011 Regulations were published amending the list of designated Customs Offices SI 377 of 2011   [105KB]. 
The Table below lists the current designated Customs Offices.

* As regards importation of live animals please note that for the purposes of various animal health requirements undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Border Inspection Post (BIP) at Dublin Airport is restricted to the category of live animal “E” = Registered Equidae only and the BIP at Shannon Airport is restricted to the categories of live animal “E” = Registered Equidae and “U” = Ungulates only.

Live animals of any other category must firstly be checked at another BIP in the EU prior to their introduction. Pet Animals that do not require a BIP check and comply with the terms of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 are not affected by this restriction. Further information of BIP’s is available for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

** Please note that Cork Airport is designated for Parts and Derivatives of Plants ONLY for the purposes of these Regulations.